Abstract: Devising a centralized usage database for tracking and recording the usage of various services by various users may be difficult for several reasons, including the volume of data generated by each user in interacting with each service. Techniques are disclosed for streamlining usage data transmitted between the services, the users, and the usage database, such as by redistributing a portion of the computational burden to the users, and by characterizing the usage data based on the role of each user in interacting with each service. Additional techniques are disclosed for caching and authenticating the usage data, and for improving the response rate in the interaction of the usage database with users in order to provide a better user experience.

Abstract: User profile data that may be spread across different service providers and that may vary across different service providers can be aggregated to provide an aggregate user profile. An aggregate user profile can be generated regardless of, among other things, varying user profile semantics, differing data formats, data item conflicts, evolving server protocols and interfaces, and updates to the number, identity, location, and type of servers upon which the service providers are maintained.

Abstract: Devising a centralized usage database for tracking and recording the usage of various services by various users may be difficult for several reasons, including the volume of data generated by each user in interacting with each service. Techniques are disclosed for streamlining usage data transmitted between the services, the users, and the usage database, such as by redistributing a portion of the computational burden to the users, and by characterizing the usage data based on the role of each user in interacting with each service. Additional techniques are disclosed for caching and authenticating the usage data, and for improving the response rate in the interaction of the usage database with users in order to provide a better user experience.

Abstract: User profile data that may be spread across different service providers and that may vary across different service providers can be aggregated to provide an aggregate user profile. An aggregate user profile can be generated regardless of, among other things, varying user profile semantics, differing data formats, data item conflicts, evolving server protocols and interfaces, and updates to the number, identity, location, and type of servers upon which the service providers are maintained.